Gippsland to power ahead

THE shadow cast by gun AFL prospects John Butcher and Koby Stevens was ever-present at Gippsland Power last year.
The pair – good mates and even better footballers – inevitably drew the attention of opposition coaches, recruiters and often even their teammates.
So with their departures – and that of fellow draftee Nathan Vardy – comes opportunity for the Power in season 2010.
The shackles of expectation are off and, according to second-year coach Damian Carroll, the Gippy boys are relishing their status as one of the competition’s unknown quantities ahead of Saturday’s season-opener against Dandenong.
“The boys are just keen to step up and have a go,” Carroll said. “We probably had a bit more height and a few more players in Vic Country squads last year, but I’m really happy with the way the guys have attacked the pre-season.”
Gippsland finished third in the home-and-away season last year, bowing out of the finals with losses to grand finalists Dandenong and Calder in consecutive weekends.
And while Butcher, Stevens and Co cannot be replaced, Carroll is optimistic about his side’s chances of seeing September action again this season.
“I think we’re a fairly even side and there’s no reason why we couldn’t do as well in the long run,” he said.
Top-age stars Dyson Heppell, Jed Lamb and Tim Northe – all members of the preliminary Vic Country under-18 squad – will look to build on impressive 2009 campaigns.
Heppell was announced as captain at Gippsland’s jumper presentation evening on Saturday night, with Lamb and Northe appointed as vice-captains.
Lamb booted 45 goals last year as a second option to Butcher up forward, displaying an uncanny knack for kicking the improbable goal. Northe and Heppell were among the Power’s best contributors in the finals last season, both showing the ability to break the lines with explosive pace.
Meanwhile, AFL recruiters have asked for another look at Michael Ross and Dale Hoghton, who rejoin the program as mature-age players.
Ross, who generated some interest in the lead-up to last November’s draft, will miss a large chunk of the season after post-season foot surgery. So his window to impress recruiters will be narrow.
“Michael probably won’t play until midway through the season,” Carroll says. “We just want to make sure that he’s totally right and he can show his best footy when he gets a chance later in the year, rather than playing injured or half-fit. “But having him back will be great for us.”
AIS-AFL Academy member Tom Bugg looks to be the pick of the bottom-age talents. The Pakenham Upper teenager was a stand-out for Vic Country in last year’s national under-16 carnival, but will miss a lot of games because of school footy commitments at Caulfield Grammar.
Emerging key forward Simon Deery and midfielder/defender Haydn Hector also come with big raps, with both participating in the Vic Country under-17 program.
If Deery can hold down a key post, it will give the Power some flexibility down the spine, with top-agers Shaun Marusic and Brayden Salton – both impressive over the pre-season – already pencilled in.
Ryan Pendlebury has been another big improver over the summer and, as the brother of Collingwood gun Scott, will be followed more closely than most by recruiters.
Danny Butcher also continues a family tradition, following in the footsteps of big brother John. Danny is recovering from a shoulder reconstruction and will miss at least the first month.
Another talking point will be the new training centre and auditorium at Power HQ in Morwell.
The club held its pre-season camp and jumper presentation at the venue last weekend, but the centre will be unveiled to the competition when the Power hosts the Stingrays on Saturday.

– Paul Pickering